Clinical evaluation of bone-subtraction CT angiography (BSCTA) in head and neck imaging

Fifty-one patients were examined with bone subtraction CT angiography (BSCTA). Data were acquired on 4-and 64-slice spiral CT systems. The post-processing method is based on fully automatic registration of non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced CT data and subsequent selective bone removal. Vascular structures and brain tissue are retained with the original CTA noise level. Image quality and delineation of the pathologic process were assessed and artifacts introduced by the bone removal process recorded. The bone subtraction algorithm worked successfully in all examinations. The processing time was 6 min on average. Image quality was rated excellent in 20 (39%), good in 26 (51%) and acceptable in 5 (10%) patients. Ophthalmic arteries were visible in 12 (24%) patients bilaterally, in 13 (25%) patients unilaterally and in 26 (51%) patients at least at the origin. BSCTA improved visualization of the infraclinoid ICA and the vertebral arteries. The depiction of stenosis of the extracranial ICA and supraclinoid aneurysms was not significantly improved. In patients with suspicion of sinus thrombosis, BSCTA and conventional CTA yielded similar results. To conclude, BSCTA improves the visualization of vessels with close contact to bone and can improve the diagnostic accuracy and therapy planning of infraclinoid aneurysms.     

Cervical CT angiography comparing routine noncontrast and a late venous scan as masks for automated bone subtraction: feasibility study and examination of the influence of patient motion on image quality

OBJECTIVES: Bone subtraction techniques have been shown to enhance cranial computed tomography angiography (CTA). The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of bone subtraction CTA (BSCTA) in cervical CTA, test whether a late venous CT (LVCT) scan can be used as bone mask instead of a low-dose nonenhanced CT (NECT), and to evaluate the impact of patient motion on image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients underwent BSCTA for the evaluation of the neck vessels with a 64-slice CT system using commercially available software. Eighteen patients had a low-dose NECT scan before CTA, and 18 patients had an LVCT scan after CTA. Subtraction quality for vascular segments was evaluated independently by 2 examiners. Cohen's Kappa was applied to evaluate interobserver reliability, and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to test for differences between the 2 groups. Motion between the 2 scans was measured and correlated to image quality. RESULTS: BSCTA using both NECT and LVCT scans as masks was successfully applied in all patients. Image quality did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, and interobserver agreement was high (k 0.5-1). Motion between the scans was highest for the jaw and hyoid, and lowest for the upper and lower spine. Decreased image quality on the subtracted images was associated with increased motion for the external carotid and vertebral artery, independent of mask type (P = 0.002-0.04). CONCLUSIONS: BSCTA techniques can be successfully applied in the neck. If parenchymal phase imaging is indicated, the LVCT can be used as a bone subtraction mask and diagnostic scan, eg, for tumor imaging.     

Bone-subtraction CT angiography for the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms

PURPOSE: CT angiography (CTA) has been established for detection and therapy planning of intracranial aneurysms. The analysis of aneurysms at the level of the skull base, however, remains difficult because bone prevents a free view. We report initial clinical results of an approach for automatic bone elimination from CTA data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Before the bone-removal process 2 datasets are acquired: nonenhanced spiral CT with reduced dose and contrast-enhanced CTA. The software automatically registers the nonenhanced data onto the CTA data and selectively removes bone. Vascular structures, as well as brain tissue, remain visible. In this study, we investigated 27 patients with 29 aneurysms, 13 of which were located at the skull base. 3D volume-rendered images with and without bone removal were reviewed and compared with digital subtraction angiography by 2 radiologists in consensus. RESULTS: All supraclinoidal aneurysms were detected on 3D volume-rendered images of both CTA and bone-subtraction CT angiography (BSCTA). Four intracavernous and 3 paraclinoid aneurysms of the internal carotid artery were not visible or were only partially visible on conventional 3D CTA, whereas they could be optimally visualized with BSCTA. Bone removal was successful in all patients; the average additional time for postprocessing was 6.2 minutes. In 7 patients (26%), perfect bone removal without any artifacts was achieved. In most patients, some bone remnants were still present, though it did not disturb the 3D visualization of vascular structures. CONCLUSION: BSCTA allows robust and fast selective elimination of bony structures, thus ascertaining a better analysis of arteries at the level of the skull base. This is useful for both detection and therapy planning of intracranial aneurysms.     

一键去骨法与减影法在头颅CTA血管重建中的对照研究

目的:比较一键去骨法与减影法在头颅CTA血管重建中图像质量及对血管病变检出的差异,探讨一键去骨法的应用价值。方法:对247例患者分别进行一键去骨法和减影法头颅CTA重建,对两种去骨法CTA所得颈内动脉(七段),大脑前、中、后动脉(分别为四段),椎动脉(四段),前后交通动脉和基底动脉血管图像质量按照5个等级标准进行评分,同时分别记录两组图像诊断病变血管数目分布差异。应用秩和检验比较两组血管图像质量差异,配对卡方检验比较两者诊断病变血管能力差异。结果:247例病例共10868段脑动脉。两种方法总体图像质量评分无统计学差异(P=0.405),一键去骨法血管质量评分均值为4.49±1.098,减影法血管质量评分均值为4.50±1.065,双侧椎动脉V4段图像质量减影法优于一键去骨法(左侧V4:P=0.026,右侧V4:P=0.017)。双侧颈内动脉C2段图像质量一键去骨法优于减影法(左侧C2:P=0.039;右侧C2:P=0.028)。其他分段血管图像质量评分两者无统计学差异。在血管狭窄、闭塞及动脉瘤检出方面两者无统计学差异。在血管钙化及血管病变术后金属夹、支架显示一键去骨法优于减影法(P均为0.000)。结论:一键去骨法对于血管病变显示和图像质量均不劣于减影法,在显示血管钙化和金属夹、支架方面有一定优势,值得应用和推广。     

Diagnostic Impact of Bone-Subtraction CT Angiography for Patients with Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Detection and evaluation of ruptured aneurysms is critical for choosing an appropriate endovascular or neurosurgical intervention. Our aim was to assess whether bone-subtraction CTA is capable of guiding treatment for cerebral aneurysms in patients with acute SAH and could replace DSA.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We prospectively studied 116 consecutive patients with SAH with 16–detector row bone-subtraction CTA and DSA before intracranial aneurysm treatment. Two independent neuroradiologists reviewed the bone-subtraction CTA blinded to DSA (reference standard). We determined the accuracy of bone-subtraction CTA for aneurysm detection and the measurement of aneurysm dimensions and compared the radiation doses of the 2 imaging modalities.RESULTS:Seventy-one patients (61%) had 74 aneurysms on DSA. Bone-subtraction CTA detected 73 of these aneurysms, but it detected 1 additional aneurysm. On a per-aneurysm basis, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for bone-subtraction CTA were 99%, 98%, and 99% and 98%, respectively. For aneurysms of ≤3 mm, sensitivity was 94% (95% CI, 73%–99%). Bone-subtraction CTA slightly overestimated neck and dome diameters by <0.2 mm and overestimated the dome-to-neck ratios by 2% on average. Dose-length product was 565 ± 201 mGy × cm for bone-subtraction CTA and 1609 ± 1300 mGy × cm for DSA.CONCLUSIONS:Bone-subtraction CTA is as accurate as DSA in detecting cerebral aneurysms after SAH, provides similar information about aneurysm configuration and measures, and reduces the average effective radiation dose for vascular diagnostics by 65%. Diagnostic equivalence in association with dose reduction suggests replacing DSA with bone-subtraction CTA in the diagnostic work-up of spontaneous SAH.

Prompt detection and evaluation of ruptured intracranial aneurysms is critical for choosing an appropriate endovascular or neurosurgical intervention.¹ Invasive digital subtraction angiography carries an overall risk of neurologic complications, resulting in permanent deficits in 0.5%.^2,3 Providing false-negative results in 5%–10% of patients,⁴ it also may increase the risk of rebleeding.^5,6Multidetector CT angiography with high spatial resolution and bone-subtraction CTA (BSCTA) approaches the diagnostic accuracy of DSA in the detection of intracranial aneurysms.^7–12 Thus, BSCTA can be considered an alternative to DSA in treatment planning.^13,14 Some authors already recommend BSCTA as the primary imaging in acute SAH.^7,15,16 However, it still seems unclear whether BSCTA can provide sufficient information for therapy decisions, making diagnostic DSA redundant.^17,18We therefore tested the hypothesis that BSCTA is as accurate as DSA for the identification and characterization of cerebral aneurysms in patients with SAH, even for small aneurysms and for those at the level of the skull base. We additionally studied the reliability of BSCTA and radiation-exposure reduction by avoiding diagnostic DSA.     

Comparing contrast-enhanced breath-hold MR angiography and conventional angiography in the evaluation of mesenteric circulation

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the results of gadolinium-enhanced breath-hold MR angiography with those of conventional angiography for the study of mesenteric circulation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: MR angiography and digital subtraction angiography were prospectively performed in 33 patients referred for hepatic, pancreatic, or mesenteric disease. MR angiography was performed with four three-dimensional acquisitions at 0, 30, 60, and 90 sec after injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of gadolinium. Selective conventional angiography was used as the standard of reference. RESULTS: A pure arterial angiogram (one on which veins could not be visualized) was obtained in 27 patients during the second or third acquisition. By subtracting the arterial phase from an arteriovenous phase (third or fourth acquisition) we obtained a pure venous angiogram (one on which arteries could not be visualized) in 28 patients. Agreement was good or excellent for the hepatic artery (kappa = 0.78), the superior mesenteric artery (kappa = 0.65), the splenic artery (kappa = 0.70), the portal vein (kappa = 1.0), the superior mesenteric vein (kappa = 0.88), and the splenic vein (kappa = 0.75). Agreement was poor, and vessels were better shown by conventional angiography, for the intrahepatic arteries (kappa = 0.006) and the branches of the superior mesenteric artery (kappa = 0.14). MR angiography and conventional angiography revealed 29 and 27 portosystemic collaterals, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dynamic breath-hold contrast-enhanced MR angiography compared favorably with conventional angiography in preoperative assessment of the proximal mesenteric arteries and in the evaluation of portal hypertension; however, conventional angiography is still necessary to evaluate distal arteries.     

Acquisition-related motion compensation for digital subtraction angiography

Subtraction methods in angiography are generally applied in order to enhance the visualization of blood vessels by eliminating bones and surrounding tissues from X-ray images. The main limitation of these methods is the sensitivity to patient movement, which leads to artifacts and reduces the clinical value of the subtraction images. In this paper we present a novel method for rigid motion compensation with primary application to road mapping, frequently used in image-guided interventions. Using the general concept of image-based registration, we optimize the physical position and orientation of the C-arm X-ray device, thought of as the rigid 3D transformation accounting for the patient movement. The registration is carried out using a hierarchical optimization strategy and a similarity measure based on the variance of intensity differences, which has been shown to be most suitable for fluoroscopic images. Performance evaluation demonstrated the capabilities of the proposed approach to compensate for potential intra-operative patient motion, being more resilient to the fundamental problems of pure image-based registration.     

256层螺旋CT低剂量心脑血管联合成像初步研究

目的 初步探讨256层螺旋CT前瞻性心电门控心脑血管联合成像的图像质量与辐射剂量.方法 回顾性分析57例患者CTA资料.组1:心脑血管联合CTA(n=17),应用大范围前瞻性心电门控行冠状动脉、颈动脉及脑血管一站式扫描;组2:冠状动脉CTA(n=20):前瞻性心电门控行常规冠状动脉成像;组3:常规颈脑血管CTA(n =20).分别测量各组升主动脉根部、双侧颈总动脉起始部、椎动脉起始部、颈内动脉(蝶鞍层面)图像CT值与图像噪声;采用4分法评估冠状动脉图像质量,3分法评估颈脑血管图像质量;分别计算各组的辐射剂量.采用t检验比较组间的图像CT值与噪声;采用Mann-Whitney U检验比较组1与组2冠状动脉图像质量及组1与组3颈脑血管图像质量.结果 组1与组2升主动脉根部CT值[分别为(427±50)、(426±86) HU]、噪声[分别为(30±9)、(31±9)HU]差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为0.058、-0.325,P值均＞0.05);冠状动脉图像质量评分组1与组2均满足诊断需要冠状动脉节段,优良分别达到98.1％( 202/206)、99.6％(244/245);两组间图像质量比较差异无统计学意义(Z=- 0.572,P＞0.05).组1与组3颈总动脉起始部CT值[分别为(474±70)、(348±81)HU]、椎动脉起始部CT值[分别为(447±83)、(328±66) HU]差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为5.043、4.869,P值均＜0.05);颈内动脉(蝶鞍层面)CT值[分别为(370±92)、(367±97)HU]两组比较差异无统计学意义(t=0.111,P＞0.05).组1颈脑血管图像质量评分1分1例,2分14例,3分2例;组3颈脑血管图像质量评分2分7例,3分13例;两组图像质量评分比较差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.306,P＜0.05).组1、组2、组3有效辐射剂量分别为(7.0±0.8)、(3.1±0.4)、(5.0±0.3) mSv.结论 256层螺旋CT大范围前瞻性心电门控心脑血管联合成像可获得满足临床诊断需要的冠状动脉、颈动脉及脑血管图像质量,具有简便、快捷、无创、对比剂使用少、辐射剂量低、客观和重复性强的优势,是一种全新的评估冠状动脉与颈脑血管的良好方法.     

Unregistered subtracted CT angiography for the visualization of intracranial arteries at or near the skull base: preliminary experience

PURPOSE: Restrictions with computed tomography angiography (CTA) regarding the visualization of arteries near the skull base are well known. Today, the gold standard for overcoming this is the matched mask bone elimination method. Worldwide use of this method is limited since it requires advanced imaging physics and software. A more simple method was introduced recently that avoided motion artifacts significantly by restraining the patient's head with a vacuum-type head holder. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using unregistered subtracted CTA without such head-holding methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 42 patients that underwent subtracted CTA, 39 were recruited for this study. Two patients were excluded due to agitation during examination and one due to artifacts of an embolized aneurysm. All the examinations were performed in an 8-channel multidetector CT suite. After performing a non-contrast low-dose CT examination, CTA was carried out using the same scan planes as on the scout images. Images were transferred to a workstation and subtraction was performed. Hard-copy images through identical locations were reviewed by 2 observers, a radiologist and a clinician (neurologist), and visualization of the internal carotid artery and posterior artery systems were scored. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Significant statistical differences, in favor of subtracted images, were noted in both observers' scores, both for the internal carotid artery and posterior system arteries. The differences in the clinician's scores were more prominent than that of radiologist's. CONCLUSION: These results are promising for the expanded use of the subtraction method, especially in radiology departments that lack the staff and equipment for registered methods.     

Imaging processing for CT angiography of the cervicocranial arteries: evaluation of reformatting technique

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare computed tomography angiography (CTA) sliding-thin-slab (STS) multiplanar reformatting (MPR), STS maximum intensity projection (MIP) and three-dimensional (3D) volume rendering (VR) reformatting techniques in the evaluation of cervicocranial arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients examined with multislice CT were included in this study. CTA images were reformatted as STS-MIP, STS-MPR and 3DVR in orthogonal planes and in the oblique-coronal plane. Images were evaluated in consensus by two radiologists, with a third radiologist to resolve discordances in grading image quality parameters. The Spearman correlation analysis was performed to compare results and to obtain the correlation between scores resulting from the evaluation of parameters considered with the different techniques used (STSMIP, STS-MPR and 3DVR). RESULTS: STS-MIP images were significantly superior to STSMPR images for all parameters considered (p<0.05). Obliquecoronal 3DVR images were significantly superior to obliquecoronal STS-MIP images in the evaluation of vertebrobasilar vessels (p<0.05); in all other cases, 3DVR images were equivalent to STS-MIP images. CONCLUSION: STS-MIP images should be the primary reformatting technique for CTA of the cervicocranial arteries in addition to viewing the source images; 3DVR images can play an important role after a previsional diagnosis is made on the STS-MIP images.     

The use of Speckle Reduction Imaging (SRI) Ultrasound in the characterization of carotid artery plaques

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Speckle Reduction Imaging is a new algorithm that improves the image quality of B-mode scanning by reducing the reverberation artifacts. In the present study the value of this method for the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques in the internal carotid artery was investigated. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty two patients (161 men, 61 women; mean age 73 years) referred for carotid ultrasound evaluation were included in the study. Patients with plaques of the internal carotid artery as identified by conventional B-mode scanning were investigated also with the addition of Speckle Reduction Imaging (SRI) with the use of a 4-11-MHz wide band linear transducer. Plaque morphology was rated according to a standardized protocol by two independent observers. RESULTS: For the determination of plaque echogenicity, the reproducibility of SRI (kappa=0.83) was higher than that of conventional B-mode ultrasound (kappa=0.68). The interobserver agreement for plaque surface characterization was also higher for SRI (kappa=0.8) than for conventional B-mode (kappa=0.61). At the evaluation of the image quality through a semiquantitative analysis, SRI was rated superior in the plaque texture resolution, plaque borders determination, vessel wall demarcation and fibrous cap depiction. In addition, the level of "speckle" was reduced with the use of SRI. CONCLUSIONS: SRI is a technique that shows good general agreement with high-resolution B-mode and can be used for the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery. Furthermore, because this advanced technique allows reduction of ultrasound artifacts, it improves the image quality allowing more precise visualization of plaque morphological details.     

16层螺旋CT触发技术在颈部动脉CTA中的临床应用

目的:探讨16层螺旋CT团注追踪触发技术在颈部动脉CT血管成像(CTA)中的应用价值。方法:9例志愿者行主动脉弓同层动态增强扫描,利用获得的主动脉弓时间-密度曲线(TDC),寻求触发技术的理论阈值。将28例患者随机分为4组(触发阈值分别为110 HU1、40 HU1、70 HU2、00 HU),采用16层螺旋CT结合触发技术行颈部动脉CTA检查,探讨CTA触发技术的最佳应用阈值。结果:阈值140 HU组(参照组),颈总动脉、颈内动脉及椎动脉全程强化明显(CT值188~262 HU),而颈内静脉强化不明显,动静脉密度差别大,3D后处理显示的动脉图像清晰。阈值110 HU组,椎动脉起始处CT值较低(106 HU);阈值170 HU及200 HU组,C1及C5椎体平面颈内静脉的密度明显升高(>150 HU),与参照组比较差异有极显著性意义(P<0.01)。结论:16层螺旋CT血管成像中触发技术结合最佳触发阈值可较好地显示颈总动脉、颈内动脉及椎动脉;对比剂注射流率4.0 ml/s,触发阈值为140 HU时的图像质量较好。     

CT angiography in the assessment of carotid artery atherosclerosis

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of CT angiography (CTA) to detect atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries in comparison with 3D time-of-flight MR angiography (3D TOF MRA), using contrast angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) as a reference.Material and Methods: Contrast angiography and CTA were performed in 31 patients (mean age 65 years, range 45-79). The image quality was evaluated, atherosclerotic lesions were registered, and diameter stenosis degree was visually estimated from axial source images of CTA and 3D TOF MRA (21 patients), and results of interpretations were compared. The comparison of quantitative measurements was performed using IVUS as a reference.Results: Contrast angiography detected 51 lesions (mean diameter stenosis 50%, range 10-100%), and CTA detected all same lesions. CTA provided better image quality and consistency of image interpretation than 3D TOF MRA. IVUS verified 29 atherosclerotic lesions with a mean diameter stenosis of 35%, (range 4-40%). CTA yielded a sensitivity of 96% to 100% (≤10% or ≤20% diameter stenosis regarded as normal) for the detection of lesions with reference to IVUS.Conclusion: CTA seems feasible and accurate for the detection of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries.     

CT angiography of the common carotid artery bifurcation: comparison between two techniques and conventional angiography

We prospectively compared CT angiography (CTA) of the common carotid artery bifurcation using two different techniques with conventional angiography in patients with suspected stenoses of the internal carotid arteries in 20 symptomatic patients. Ten patients (Group 1) received 60 cc of contrast (medium 2 cc/sec) and CTA was acquired using 5 mm slices, reconstructed at 3 mm slice thickness. Ten patients (Group 2) received 90 cc of contrast (medium 3 cc/sec) and CTA was acquired using 3 mm slices reconstructed at 1 mm slice thickness. All CTA studies were postprocessed using maximum intensity projection algorithm. Stenoses were graded prospectively from CT angiograms and compared with selective conventional catheter angiograms. In Group 1, CTA overestimated the degree of narrowing in 9 of 10 stenoses proven by conventional angiograms. We interpreted 2 nearly occluded internal carotid arteries, 2 with moderate and marked stenoses, and 2 with no narrowings, but fibromuscular dysplasia on conventional angiograms as occluded on CTA, and 3 vessels as showing marked stenoses, not confirmed by angiography. CTA clearly depicted 1 mild stenosis, 4 normal bifurcations, and 6 occluded internal carotid arteries. In Group 2, CTA overestimated two stenoses; a correct diagnosis was made in 7 normal bifurcations, 3 mild, 2 moderate and 2 severe stenoses, 2 near occlusions, and 2 occlusions. Ulcerations were missed by CTA regardless of the technique utilized.     

Comparison of contrast-enhanced ct angiography and gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography in the detection of subsegmental-sized pulmonary embolism. An experimental study in a pig model

Purpose: 
To compare contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) and gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) for the detection of subsegmental-sized pulmonary emboli in a pig model. Material and Methods: 
In 5 anesthetized pigs, 3-mm diameter embolic materials made of Konjac, a semisolid food, were introduced through the internal jugular vein into pulmonary arteries. After embolization, CTA and MRA images were obtained. Respiration was suspended during CTA and MRA image acquisition. Two readers reviewed the CTA and MRA images to detect emboli. The pigs were sacrificed, and sliced specimens of inflated lung served as the gold standard. Results: 
Thirty-six emboli were detected within peripheral arteries. The sensitivity (and 95% confidence intervals) of CTA for the two readers were 57% (39-74%) and 66% (48-81%), and 88% (69-98%) and 92% (74-94%) for MRA. The specificity of CTA was 95% (91-97%) and 98% (96-99%), and that of MRA was 85% (74-93%) and 90% (80-96%). Interobserver agreement was higher for MRA (kappa 0.898) than CTA (kappa 0.574). Conclusion: 
For the detection of subsegmental pulmonary emboli, MRA was superior to CTA, with a higher sensitivity and interobserver agreement by demonstrating perfusion deficits.     

Gadolinium-enhanced breath-hold three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography of the abdominal and pelvic vessels: The value of ultrafast MP-RAGE sequences

MR angiography (MRA) was performed in 50 consecutive subjects (mean age, 59 years), who had been referred for abdominal MRA, on a 1.5-T superconductive unit that used a body phased-array coil. Three breath-hold three-dimensional sequences were evaluated both in phantom and clinical studies: (a) standard fast three-dimensional gradient-echo sequence (TR = 15, TE = 6; imaging time, 32 seconds), (b) ultrafast three-dimensional gradient-echo sequence (TR = 8.2, TE = 3; imaging time, 18 seconds), and (c) ultrafast magnetization-prepared (MP) rapid acquisition gradient echo (RAGE) (TR = 5.8, TE = 2.9, inversion time [TI] = 20; imaging time, 15 seconds). The initial 30 patients were randomized into three groups by three separate sequences. For the remaining 20 patients, ultrafast-gradient-echo and ultrafast MP-RAGE sequences were performed. Conventional angiography was performed on 36 patients. Signal measurements of the phantom and clinical images of the aorta, visceral branches of the aorta, iliac arteries, inferior vena cavae, and portal veins were performed. The overall image quality and background fatty tissue contrast of the vessels were rated subjectively. Comparison of images between MRA and conventional angiography also was performed. The contrast between the vessels and background fatty tissue was significantly higher in the ultrafast MP-RAGE sequence in both quantitative and qualitative analysis, and image-quality ultrafast MP-RAGE was superior to the other two sequences (P < .01). The aorta and iliac arteries could be visualized in all pulse sequences, and abnormalities of these vessels were diagnosed correctly. The renal artery was visualized more clearly with the two ultrafast sequences.     

First results of computerised tomographic angiography using electron beam tomography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of electron beam tomography (EBT) with fast continuous volume scanning for CT angiography (CTA) in chest and abdomen. An Evolution XP EBT scanner with a new software version (12.34) was used. One hundred forty images per study can be acquired in 17 s using 3-mm collimation and overlapping image reconstruction. Study protocols for five different clinical applications of EBT CTA were established and evaluated. The EBT CTA technique was performed in 155 patients. High- and homogeneous density values were achieved along the whole course of the vessels; the mean density in the aorta was > 240 HU. Coeliac axis, superior and inferior mesenteric artery, renal and lumbar arteries were visualised in all cases. Maximum intensity projection and shaded surface display reconstruction demonstrated the relation between aneurysm and aortic branches very well due to an excellent resolution along the z-axis. In large scan volumes overlapping image reconstruction demonstrated better resolution along the z-axis than is available with helical CT. The EBT CTA technique proved to be very well suited excellent suitability for evaluation of pulmonary vessels. Compared with helical CT, EBT CTA offers a shorter scan time, which allows higher contrast enhancement in pulmonary vessels. The identification of intraluminal emboli and mural thrombi has improved. The EBT CTA technique is a very reliable tool for evaluation of aortic disease and pulmonary vessels. Received: 17 June 1998; Revision received: 9 September 1998; Accepted: 29 September 1998     

Nonrigid registration for subtraction CT angiography applied to the carotids and cranial arteries

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an established tool for vascular imaging. However, high-intensity nonvascular structures in the contrast image can seriously hamper luminal visualization. This is an issue for three-dimensional visualization, where high-intensity structures might cover the underlying vasculature. But also in two dimensions, calcified plaques adjacent to the contrast-enhanced vessel lumen impede correct determination of the vessel boundary. High-intensity structures can be eliminated using subtraction CTA, where a native image is subtracted from the contrast image. However, patient and organ motion limits the widespread application of this technique. We propose to use nonrigid image registration to solve this problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each patient, a native image and a contrast image are recorded, respectively, before and after contrast administration. The native image is registered to the contrast image using an automatic intensity-based nonrigid three-dimensional registration algorithm. Both images are merged in a fused image, allowing the user to switch between a view of the arteries, the bone or both. The procedure has been applied to 95 patients. RESULTS: In all cases, subtraction CTA using nonrigid registration allows for a significantly better artifacts removal than subtraction CTA without registration. Image quality of all images was judged adequate for clinical use. The average total processing time for each dataset is about 30 minutes. CONCLUSION: Nonrigid registration can allow for a great reduction in subtraction artifacts for subtraction CTA, resulting in a clear view of the vasculature.     

Carotid artery calcification on CT may independently predict stroke risk

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to quantitatively evaluate calcified atherosclerotic burden in the cervical carotid arteries using MDCT to determine the relationship of scores with luminal stenosis and symptomatology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Calcium plaque volume was measured in 106 cervical carotid arteries (53 patients) using MDCT angiography. The study group included 32 asymptomatic patients (mean age, 70.2 +/- 8.7 [SD] years; 15 women, 17 men) and 21 patients with ischemic neurologic symptoms (69.6 +/- 12.9 years; eight women, 13 men). By vessel, there were 43 high-grade stenotic (> or = 60% by North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial [NASCET] criteria), 15 moderate-grade stenotic (30-59%), and 44 mild-grade stenotic or normal (0-29%) vessels, with four excluded for prior carotid endarterectomy. Volume scores were calculated by summing the area of calcium in the common and extracranial internal carotid arteries on axial slices and multiplying by the slice increment. RESULTS: Controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and luminal stenosis, we found that scores were significantly related to the occurrence of symptoms (p = 0.003). Even with patient age as a covariant, patients with high-grade stenosis had significantly higher scores than those without high-grade disease (p = 0.004). Moreover, quantitative burden was associated with luminal stenosis on adjusted multivariate analysis (p = 0.034). The specificity and positive predictive value for high-grade luminal narrowing were notably lower on individual vessel analysis than on total score analysis, likely secondary to variability in vascular remodeling. CONCLUSION: Calcium scores in the cervical carotid arteries may represent an independent marker for luminal stenosis and ischemic symptoms. A prospective longitudinal study examining calcium levels and morbidity may be warranted to examine whether burden has a role in risk stratification.